Making a transaction

Published: Sunday, October 27, 2013 at 06:19 PM.

With the economic growth in downtown Kinston, two local banks want to assist those trying to make financial transactions on the Magic Mile.

In Thursday’s Pride of Kinston board meeting, there was information given about Self Help Credit Union and State Employees Credit Union looking to place an automated teller machine downtown.

Adrian King, executive director of Pride of Kinston, said Self Help Branch Manager Ashley Pierce approached him with the idea about a month ago, prompting him to do research.

“Ashley asked me an estimate of how many people come downtown,” King said. “I did a non-scientific survey, but I came to an estimate of about 50,000 people per year.”

According to Kinston/Lenoir County Parks and Recreation, Pearson Park was rented 24 times from January to mid-September. Some of the programs needing a rental include Festival on the Neuse, Relay for Life and Sand in the Streets.

Pierce believes an ATM is needed in downtown because of how helpful it would be for the community.

“There are a lot of different residents downtown who need one, and it would help boost the economy,” Pierce said. “You’ve got people that come to things like the barbecue festival and Sand in the Streets who need access to cash, especially when you look at the many improvements in the city. You can walk around Kinston and go to the Boiler Room, Red Room or Tap Room.

With the economic growth in downtown Kinston, two local banks want to assist those trying to make financial transactions on the Magic Mile.

In Thursday’s Pride of Kinston board meeting, there was information given about Self Help Credit Union and State Employees Credit Union looking to place an automated teller machine downtown.

Adrian King, executive director of Pride of Kinston, said Self Help Branch Manager Ashley Pierce approached him with the idea about a month ago, prompting him to do research.

“Ashley asked me an estimate of how many people come downtown,” King said. “I did a non-scientific survey, but I came to an estimate of about 50,000 people per year.”

According to Kinston/Lenoir County Parks and Recreation, Pearson Park was rented 24 times from January to mid-September. Some of the programs needing a rental include Festival on the Neuse, Relay for Life and Sand in the Streets.

Pierce believes an ATM is needed in downtown because of how helpful it would be for the community.

“There are a lot of different residents downtown who need one, and it would help boost the economy,” Pierce said. “You’ve got people that come to things like the barbecue festival and Sand in the Streets who need access to cash, especially when you look at the many improvements in the city. You can walk around Kinston and go to the Boiler Room, Red Room or Tap Room.

“An ATM would help a lot of people in public housing facilities and the people who work downtown. We’re willing to take a shot at it.”

Laura Lee Sylvester, president of the Kinston-Lenoir County Chamber of Commerce, said an ATM would be great to have downtown.

“I feel as though we could use free-standing ATMs, not only to assist shoppers at local businesses, but also to be a convenience when the community hosts events,” Sylvester said.

Pride’s Economic Development and Property Committee endorsed the RiverWalk and intends on working with Duke Energy to develop a future plan for property along the Neuse River.

Pride of Kinston also approved three façade grants of a combined $6,140 to CosignedDesign, Mother Earth Brewing Company and the Farmers’ Market Annex.

In addition, Stephen Hill and Trent Mooring of Mother Earth were selected as the 2013 North Carolina Main Street Champions. The two will be the first from Kinston to receive the award since 2004.